Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Tripp16]

Mama, the RIR who raised the BO chicks for me in February is at it again. This time I moved her out of the nest box and into a plastic dog crate for air travel-it has very small chick proof openings before getting her chicks. After a day I opened the grate thinking she would prefer the new nest. Not. She was back in the nest box. So I moved her again and she got really grumpy, and kept her back end to the door. That showed me!
But, even though she was put out with me I got her some chicks yesterday, two Speckled Sussex and one Americauna...had the brooder all set up for them, so the only peeping I heard was during the brief ride home. The car must have been slightly colder than they liked. After dark DH and I took the chicks, water and food to the coop and I bravely reached in to get the fake eggs. Mama pecked me gently about three times, but her heart wasn't in it, she was just registering her dips,easier at having to be in the carrier, and having me fiddling around in her personal space. But she kind of stood up, so I grabbed out the eggs and put the chicks close to her and she settled down on them.
This morning I have checked a few times, and all seems well.
I plan to keep them in the carrier today, then open the door and supervise what happens tomorrow.
I don't think Im fooling her with the fake eggs, because whenever she can get a real egg she would treat it with much more care than the fake ones. And, I don't think she is fooled into thinking that these adorable chicks hatched from those fake plastic Easter eggs that I insisted on putting with her. I think she knows that Im helping her, and that even though Im a bit overprotective and misguided by thinking I know how things work, she appreciates the chance to be a mom.

Glad everythings working out. I know what you mean with the fake eggs. I think my girls know the difference from their eggs and the golf balls. But they still sit on them because if they want real eggs they better keep their fluffy butts planted on those golf balls for a night or two.

 

[Johnn]

Hi, just wondering if this could be signs of a hen going broody?, My buff orpington has been walking around clucking today and when i went to her nest were she had layed she had plucked about 8 feathers out whilst she was in there.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

It's adorable. anymore?  

I believe there are 7 babies under her. Its hard to count all those wiggly legs under her feathers I put the last 2 unhatched eggs in my bator, but I don't have much hope for them at this point. It would be nice if they hatched, but I've got lots more coming soon too. 2 broody Cochins sharing 22 eggs, and another EE with 7. I sure hope no one else wants babies, I don't know where I'd put them. I'm afraid to leave a single egg in the nest box, for fear the broody madness will afflict another hen! I swear its contagious!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mama, the RIR who raised the BO chicks for me in February is at it again. This time I moved her out of the nest box and into a plastic dog crate for air travel-it has very small chick proof openings before getting her chicks. After a day I opened the grate thinking she would prefer the new nest. Not. She was back in the nest box. So I moved her again and she got really grumpy, and kept her back end to the door. That showed me!
But, even though she was put out with me I got her some chicks yesterday, two Speckled Sussex and one Americauna...had the brooder all set up for them, so the only peeping I heard was during the brief ride home. The car must have been slightly colder than they liked. After dark DH and I took the chicks, water and food to the coop and I bravely reached in to get the fake eggs. Mama pecked me gently about three times, but her heart wasn't in it, she was just registering her dips,easier at having to be in the carrier, and having me fiddling around in her personal space. But she kind of stood up, so I grabbed out the eggs and put the chicks close to her and she settled down on them.
This morning I have checked a few times, and all seems well.
I plan to keep them in the carrier today, then open the door and supervise what happens tomorrow.
I don't think Im fooling her with the fake eggs, because whenever she can get a real egg she would treat it with much more care than the fake ones. And, I don't think she is fooled into thinking that these adorable chicks hatched from those fake plastic Easter eggs that I insisted on putting with her. I think she knows that Im helping her, and that even though Im a bit overprotective and misguided by thinking I know how things work, she appreciates the chance to be a mom.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi, just wondering if this could be signs of a hen going broody?, My buff orpington has been walking around clucking today and when i went to her nest were she had layed she had plucked about 8 feathers out whilst she was in there.

Sounds like the making of a broody to me.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I believe there are 7 babies under her. Its hard to count all those wiggly legs under her feathers

I put the last 2 unhatched eggs in my bator, but I don't have much hope for them at this point. It would be nice if they hatched, but I've got lots more coming soon too. 2 broody Cochins sharing 22 eggs, and another EE with 7. I sure hope no one else wants babies, I don't know where I'd put them. I'm afraid to leave a single egg in the nest box, for fear the broody madness will afflict another hen! I swear its contagious!

It's kinda like chicken math that us humans catch. Can't wait to see pics.

 

[Johnn]

Sounds like the making of a broody to me.

I really hope she does, she had to go for an injection today so i hope that dosen't make her change her mind, I dont think she was stressed, she was there and back before she knew it and her friend went for one with her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I really hope she does, she had to go for an injection today so i hope that dosen't make her change her mind, I dont think she was stressed, she was there and back before she knew it and her friend went for one with her.

Is she sick? not good timing to go broody if she is not well. Broodiness it self takes alot out of them.

 

[Johnn]

I know it does, shes not ill enough to stop laying, i think she just had scard lungs, her breathing was weird,but apart from that shes very fat and healthy and i think she would handle broody well , i know how ill it makes them look when they are broody

 

[bobbieschicks]

Well Smokey switched nest boxes. I was inside grouting the bathroom floor and when I finished I checked on her. I guess she got up to eat, drink and poo and then switched nests. It's okay for now since she only has ping pong balls. I may have to divide Topsy's area in half and put their food & water in the middle. I wonder how well that would go over.